Thursday is It’s Cool Being a Parent Day!
One of the coolest things about being a parent is laundry. Huh? Yes, the bane of our existence…the piles scattered on the bedroom floor, the stacks of shirts on the kitchen table, the dirty clothes covering our kids’ room. Laundry can feel like (and be!) a never-ending chore. But there’s a bright side to laundry.
1). Laundry keeps us connected to our children. Ever know a local college kid who doesn’t go home without a stack of laundry in his/her hands? They’re delighted to save a few extra dollars doing laundry at mom & dad’s house. No more loose change and rolls of quarters necessary. So whether it’s 2 years away, 5, or 16…may you be glad knowing that your washing machine is going to be a welcoming link between you and your children.
2) Laundry represents a fresh start…within reason. Crisp, clean clothes. You take them out of the dryer, and can wear your favorite outfit again. Just like with our children, we can start each day (and maybe even hour) fresh. If something horrible happened – a temper on your part, perhaps – then we must admit, there’s likely leftover residue. Use the Stain Removers in your laundry room…the after hours “talks,” the agreed upon plans about what each person will do next time, etc. The stain may linger. That’s okay. Just like with our children’s clothes, we grow out of them…and figure out ways to get new ones.
3) Laundry offers some rich summer learning opportunities. Call me crazy (heck, for this entire post….) but hear me out. Ingredients of detergent, actual amounts needed, test cases of different types – what the labels and advertising says vs. what you actually observe. There’s a ton of science and social studies projects waiting to be tackled by your kids! Budgeting too. Art and P.E. as well. Kids stack cups in PE classes nowadays anyway…how about having them fold long sleeve shirts as if they have starch in them – straight lines, perfect folds?
